| Affiliation with other organizations: |
The following is a list of OSF’s partner organizations that we work with to bring technology education to needy children. They include orphanages, community centers, and homes and schools for victims of abuse and trafficking, as well impoverished children. American Samoa: DYWA Center, Pacific Island Foundation, Manu'A High School. Argentina: El Instituto Parroquial Santa Maria Madre del Pueblo. Bolivia: Proyecto Horizonte Ushpa Ushpa, Colegio Rene Barrientos Ortuño. Brazil: Associação Jesus de Nazaré, Redes da Maré, Fundacao Americo de Viveiros, Proyecto Uerê, Associação Vida Jovem, Associação de Assistência à Criança Surda, A Pequena Cruzada. Cambodia: Together1Heart. Chile: Fundacion Acompaña, Hogar Refugio De La Misericordia. Colombia: Nuevo Futuro, Fundamor, Casa De La Chinca. Costa Rica: Nuevas Oportunidades, La Posada De Belen. Dominican Republic: Juventud De Hoy, Centro De Formacion y Capacitacion. Ecuador: Centro Del Muchacho Trabajador. El Salvador: Merced Para Crecer. Ethiopia: ECF Children's Fund. Guatemala: La Alianza. Haiti: H.E.L.O. Haiti, L'Ecole La Redemption. Honduras: Sociedad Amigos De Los Niños, Hogar Jerico. Jamaica Homestead Place of Safety. Kenya: Many Hopes. Mexico: Asilo Primavera, Ciudad de los Niños, El Pozo De Vida, Tino y Beto. Nepal: Atisha Primary School, Namgyal Middle School, Druk Amitabha. Nicaragua: Hogar De Niñas Madre Albertina. Panama: Asilo Malambo, Hogar San Vicente, Hogar Parroquia de Fatima, Hogar Monte Carmelo. Paraguay: Hogar Infantil Santa Elena. Peru: Primero Parroquia Inmaculada, Niños del Arcoiris. Philippines: Hiyas Ng Maynila. Puerto Rico: Instituto Santa Ana, Hogar Fatima, La Casa De Todo, Vida Plena, Juan Ponce de Leon. USA: St. Mary's Healthcare System, Boys and Girls Club White Earth Reservation, Boys and Girls Club Leech Lake. Uruguay: Programa Alternativa Adolescente, Colegio Don Bosco. |
| Publications: |
N/A |
| Purpose of the organization: |
Orphaned Starfish Foundation (OSF), an international nonprofit located in NYC, is dedicated to helping orphans, victims of abuse, survivors of trafficking, indigenous children and at-risk youth break their cycles of abuse and poverty through computer-based education, job training, and job placement assistance. OSF currently operates 60 programs that serve 13,000 children in 27 countries and makes a profound impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable people on earth. Our objective is that OSF’s program graduates will have access to the universities of their choice within their own countries and/or obtain gainful employment—achievements that can imbue young people with a sense of empowerment, while helping them to be self-reliant and to positively contribute to their communities. OSF provides disadvantaged youth with technology and vocational training by developing and operating state-of-the-art computer learning centers. We partner with local organizations, including orphanages, transitional homes, and community centers, to tailor our programs to the specific needs of the students we serve at each site. Each year, OSF staff members accept requests and recommendations for prospective project sites and select new programs based on criteria that includes responsible organizational management, high standards of childcare, and need for technology training. As a general rule, we focus on organizations that compassionately and thoughtfully provide for the basic needs of our target populations, but do not have the resources to prepare them to be financially and socially independent in their adulthoods. After OSF selects our partner organizations, we provide all hardware, software, desks, and furniture for our computer learning centers. We commit to support the operating budget of each program for life, including teacher salaries, supplies, computer maintenance, additional software, and eventual replacement of computers. Working with local teachers and program staff, OSF provides training in computer basics, Microsoft Office, the internet, robotics, programming, web design, and English language. OSF also has a life skills program that provides impoverished children with critical information on health and hygiene maintenance, social engagement, basic budgeting, and more based on the needs of the participating students. As students begin to age out of the institutions and homes where they have spent their childhoods, the Foundation provides resources to help them transition to higher education or employment. Students have the opportunity to apply for OSF scholarships to attend a university of their choice in their home country—roughly 20 to 25 scholarships are awarded each year. OSF also works with local business to help students with internship and job placement. |
| Activities relevant to the conference of States Parties to the convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: |
N/A |
| Confirmation of the activities of the organization at the regional, national or international level: |
As stated previously, OSF serves 13,000 children at 60 program sites in 27 countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia, the United States, and the South Pacific. |
| A list of members of the governing body of the organization, and their countries of nationality: |
Board of Directors: Andrew Stein, Founder and Executive Chairman, USA: Eric Ricaurte, USA: Patricia Barta, USA: Tom D'Amato, USA: Timothy O'Byrne, USA; Greg O'Stean, USA; Ruben Taborda, USA; Jeanette Prenger, USA; Joanna Scholl, USA; John Pelant, USA; Tom Richard, USA; David Williams, USA |
| Description of the membership of the organization, indicating the total number of members: |
OSF is not a membership organization. |
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